Some time in the last century a southern boy from a not so small town had the idea that he wanted to play music for the rest of his life.

With the help of his mother, Bill Amey was educated at the University of North Carolina School of Music in Greensboro, North Carolina where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree.

He began to work weekends with entertainers like Barbara Eden (“I Dream of Jeanie”), Aaron Purdie (drummer for James Brown), The Modulations (Buddah Records).  Bill appeared with Barbara Eden (I Dream Of Jeannie), Millie Jackson, and other major acts traveling through North Carolina. Upon graduation Bill relocated to New York where he gave most of his attention to the jazz idiom.

He was fortunate enough to continue his study of music with trombonists of historic stature: J. J. Johnson, Curtis Fuller, and Slide Hampton as well as becoming a student at Jazzmobile, a Manhattan-based summer study program for young musicians operated by Dr. Billy Taylor, The Heath Brothers, Curtis Fuller, Frank Foster and others.

Bill’s first international tour came when Hugh Maskela auditioned him for the band.  That tour opened the door to radio, television, and live performances with artists such as Cecil Payne, Bob Trowers, Wallace Roney, Steve Torre and Tom Harrell, to name a few.

Whether playing in an orchestra, big band, jazz ensemble, or small group, Bill Amey continues to have things to say musically.

CIRRICULUM VITAE

William Anderson Amey, III
Vocalist, Instrumentalist, Producer

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
(credits in alphabetical order)

BALTIMORE’S BIG BAND, Baltimore, Maryland

Official jazz big band of the City of Baltimore having been in performance for over 25 years, 15 of which under the baton of Mr. Gene Walker.

BARBARA EDEN (I Dream of Jeannie), Hollywood, California

Trombonist.  Member of full orchestra accompanying Ms. Eden’s Las Vegas-style stage performances through the southeastern United States.

GEORGE COLEMAN, New York, New York

“Live” album, recorded with the Rutgers University Jazz Banc under the direction of Dr. Paul Jeffries.

HUGH MASEKELA, New York, New York

Trombonist touring internationally as part of the Hugh Maskela sextet.  Personal appearances included television and radio interviews, as well as concert performances of Mr. Masekela recordings from the concert stage.

JOHN BROWN JAZZ ORCHESTRA, Duke, Durham, North Carolina

Trombonist at inaugural performance under the baton of Frank Foster.  Continued association with bands under the baton of Professor Brown.

MILLIE JACKSON, Atlanta, Georgia

Trombonist with North Carolina concert series promoting R & B record sales.

NUTONE RECORDS, Atlanta, Georgia

Executive producer of vocal group singing in the R & B genre.  Wrote and arranged all music.  Rehearsed the act and supervised all recording sessions.  Project successfully completed within budget and single released.

PROGRESSIVE MUSIC ASSOCIATES, New York, New York

Co-founder of not-for-profit organization with a mission to catalog, create and promote music of the big band and bebop eras.  Writers and arrangers included musicians from the Basie Band, Lionel Hampton Jazz Band, and Dollar Brand.  This company continues today under the leadership of Professor Bob Trowers.

SETH CARPER BIG BAND, Trans-Atlantic crossing commencing Fort Lauderdale and ending in Barcelona, Spain.

Performed as trombonist aboard ship as part of Mr. Carper’s featured act.

STRUTT, New York, New York

Performed as trombonist, vocalist and keyboardist in the Brunswick Records act.  The group performed popular music boasting record sales in excess of 50,000 albums in the first year.  Toured major venues of the eastern United States opening for Roberta Flack, Kool and the Gang, The Tramps, etc.

TEMPTATIONS REVUE featuring Nate Evans, Atlanta, Georgia

Trombonist on tour with the tribute to Mr. Evans time with Motown and the Temptations.  U. S. based concerts with the backup band, Chocolate Buttermilk. 

TENOR CLEF, New York, New York

Co-producer of jazz quintet performing nationally.  Duties included all aspects of management.  Accomplishments would include recordings with Curtis Fuller and Cecil Payne.  Jazz seminars offered through the New York City Public Library and the Brooklyn conservatory of Music.  Massachusetts Jazz Festival.

UNION BAPTIST CHURCH, Durham, North Carolina

Principal trombonist with church orchestra performing a full range of religious music.

EDUCATION

(related to music only)

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Greensboro, North Carolina

Bachelor of Music Education